YOUNG football fans dived for cover during a 'friendly' game on Saturday when hooligans began fighting.

The disgraceful scenes stemmed from racist and abusive terrace chants from a minority of home and away fans.

In what was meant to be a friendly pre-season game between Flint Town United and FC United of Manchester, genuine fans witnessed scenes reminiscent of the 1980s with children having to be pulled free from the chaos. One fan even leapt from a 10-foot wall to avoid being caught up in the violence.

Flint Town United chairman Allan Baines (pictured left) said: 'There was singing throughout the game. It was just good-natured banter. Then these Manchester lads started singing 'where's your sheep?' and

then these three idiots replied with a song about the Munich air disaster.'

Fighting began just before half-time and the referee ended play early to allow innocent bystanders on to the pitch.

A club official phoned Flint police for extra security and officers arrived at the Cae y Castell ground at 3.55pm.

By this time, club stewards had sorted out the trouble and escorted three youths, believed to be from Flint, out of the ground.

Mr Baines added: 'They are not football supporters and are certainly not welcome at the club any more.

'There was such a good atmosphere at the time and what these lads sang was so disrespectful.'

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact police on 0845 607 1002 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.